Depressive disorders are among the most common diseases in Western industrialized countries. Despite a wide range of outpatient and in-patient treatment options, depressive disorders are still often not correctly diagnosed and are treated too late, and the individuals affected often do not benefit from therapy over the longer term. This volume explains current sociological, psychodynamic and neuroscientific models, as well as the latest research findings, on the development of depression and presents effective psychotherapeutic procedures.